No.1 Tennessee men vs. Texas A&M at Reed Arena in College Station, Texas
Time: 8 p.m. EST
TV/radio: SEC Network/102.3 FM
Likely lineups (with heights and scoring averages in parentheses)
TENNESSEE (19-1, 6-0 Southeastern Conference)
Projected starters: F Kyle Alexander (6-11, 9.0); G Jordan Bone (6-3, 13.4); G Admiral Schofield (6-6, 17.0); G Lamonte Turner (6-2, 11.6); F Grant Williams (6-7, 20.4).
Key reserves: G Jordan Bowden (6-5, 10.9); F John Fulkerson (6-9, 3.8).
TEXAS A&M (8-11, 1-6)
Projected starters: G Savion Flagg (6-7, 12.3); G Brandon Mahan (6-5, 6.2); F Christian Mekowulu (6-8, 8.1); G Wendell Mitchell (6-3, 11.3); G T.J. Starks (6-2, 13.3).
Key reserves: G Jay Jay Chandler (6-4, 8.3); F Josh Nebo (6-9, 8.4).
AGGIES REPORT
Despite their overall record, the Aggies have proven capable of playing with some of the better competition on their schedule this season. They have a win over Kansas State – currently tied for first in the Big 12 standings – and their lone victory in SEC play was at Alabama, which recently gave the Volunteers fits. There hasn’t been a lot of lineup continuity, though, with Flagg and Mekowulu the only two players to start all 19 games.
KEY MATCHUP
In Tennessee’s past two games, opponents have made it a point to attack Alexander in the post, hoping to get him into foul trouble and force the Vols into what is considered their biggest weakness – post depth. Alexander is a game changer on the interior who averages almost two blocks per game, and he does a good job extending possessions with offensive rebounds. Can the Vols keep him on the court against a smaller team that likes to attack?